Success at Home

Friends, are you all okay out there?

Our world has gone crazy, hasn't it?

I hope you are peacefully tucked in at home during these unsafe times.

When the world is rattled there's no reason why we can't carry on joyfully in our homes.

In fact, there's probably nothing more significant we can do!

"Lighthouses don't go running all over the island looking for boats to save. They just stand there, shining."

~ Anne Lamott

Christian homes are meant to be lights in this world.

And who's going to keep the lights on, but mama of course!

Friends, let's not abandon our posts!

(Have you ever thought that even if you don't physically abandon, you can still emotionally abandon? If you're home but your heart is so caught up in the news and noise of the world that you cannot function, that is just as unhealthy.)

There will always be turmoil in this world.

But our homes and families need us!

"Do not fret because of evil...

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."

~ Psalm 37:1a and 3

Being home is more than mindlessly going through the motions of laundry and cleaning.

It's cultivating an atmosphere, promoting happiness, health and well-being, training the next generation and creating life-long memories.

This is worth giving it our best shot and doing it well.

So, how can we have success at home?

I have a few thoughts...

1. Little and Often

The concept here is "slow and steady wins the race." This is better than having bursts of progress followed by a crash because you've run out of energy.

Little and often builds up over time.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

~ Galatians 6:9

2. Ignore what others are doing

Don't compare yourself to other moms. Stay focused on your progress. 

When others have more than you or are doing better than you, realize that it does not take away from what you've accomplished. 

For example:

Imagine you have planted a teeny tiny garden. You love it and tend to it every day. It's a successful little garden because of your care and you are proud of it. But then you see your neighbor's garden across the street. It's huge and impressive! They've planted all sorts of wonderful things, and it looks like something out of a magazine! Suddenly your garden feels underwhelming. Why did I even bother? you may be tempted to think.

But think of this, their success doesn't take away yours. You still have your little garden no matter what happens across the street.

What you've done is still worthwhile. 

3. Understand that nothing goes off without a hitch

I am still learning how to accept this one. But the quicker we accept this, the happier we'll be.

Sometimes life at home with a family can feel like two steps forward, one step backwards.

This is normal, and it doesn't mean you are failing!

Just learn from it and move on!

Lastly...

4. Commit your work to the Lord

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this."

~ Psalm 37:4-5

We are doing Kingdom work so the Lord is on our side and rooting for us to succeed. All we have to do is walk in the way He has already laid out for us.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

~ Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever thought that it is God's will for your life to have success at home?

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will excel in every good work."

~ 2 Corinthians 9:8

xo,

~ Courtney ~